Having rested the pitches for two weeks, the ground was in a much better condition than the last time Ripon 1st XV played at home. Despite the pre-match rain, the weather and pitch held up and Ripon went into the Christmas break with a well-earned and emphatic victory.

A memorable occasion for many reasons: three adult teams playing at home on the same day for the first time in what must be years; all three teams winning well; excellent support from sponsors, friends and families, bedecked in their festive finery; a welcome return to the fold from his overseas travels for Chairman Briggs and an unexpected welcome for Ed White, Sports Editor of the Ripon Gazette. Most memorable of all, were Ripon’s sterling performance to achieve their seventh win of the season, consolidate at seventh place in the Division and achieve a positive points balance. A sound testament to the players, coaches and back room teams who continue to train, play and support with confidence, conviction and dedication.

Gradual improvements have appeared in Ripon’s game over the past few weeks and an emerging theme is of forward dominance and the resultant quality possession it yields. Week after week, Ripon have come up against sides who have previously given the forwards a torrid time, only to destroy their scrums and dominate the line outs. Often playing against weightier and more experienced opposition, the cohesion and confidence of the Ripon pack is a joy to behold. Not perfect by any means yet and sustaining high levels of intense concentration and pace for eighty minutes is still a challenge. However, the opportunities that a consistent stream of good possession offers to the backs, bodes well for the forthcoming encounters against the remaining top two teams.

Whilst not possible to name every player for their contribution, it would be rude not to pick out Ashley Plant for his strength in the scrums and graft in carrying for the hard yards; Dave Robinson for his tenacity in defence and organisation skills around the park; Tom Stringer, a player of huge potential, cruelly removed from play with a broken wrist in the first half and Tim Tombling for his performance with the boot, both from hand and off the tee. That said it was another solid team performance, with some exciting play, at times from both sides, but one of overall domination from Ripon. A lesson perhaps to be considered however, was that Barnsley only encroached into the Ripon half twice and scored on both occasions. Again, this is an indication of where Ripon need to develop a more clinical approach to finishing when pressing the opposition’s line.

Ripon kicked off into a stiff breeze and set about pinning Barnsley in their half of the pitch for pretty much the entire first half of the game. Tombling kept the scoreboard ticking over with three penalty goals, all from around the forty metre mark and the visitors managed one penalty goal in return. Looking dangerous throughout, Ripon pieced together some slick moves and stout defence from the visitors prevented any successful penetration. Towards the end of the half, a poor cross kick from Barnsley was fielded by Bell just outside the home 22 metre line. Bell shrugged off the first two tacklers to create enough space for him to sprint the remaining 60 metres to touch down for Ripon’s first try of the game. Tombling just missed the conversion attempt. Turning round 14 – 3 up, the prospect of a successful second half was a reality.

After a passage of play where neither side seemed able to make any serious inroads, such was the intensity of each’s defence, Ripon were offered a five metre scrum after an unsuccessful carry over the Barnsley line. The outcome of the scrum was never in doubt as the Ripon pack trundled over for Walker to touch down for the pushover try. Tombling added the conversion to push the score to a respectable 21 – 3, with great expectations of more scores to come.
Unfortunately, the rest of the half did not deliver the scores that were expected. Barnsley late on and completely against the run of play, had a rare incursion and took advantage of a miscommunication from Ripon. From a hasty clearance kick, the visitors exploited a quick ball from a line out to run in a converted try. For a few minutes after that, Barnsley strung together a number of attacks, but with their possession at the scrum drying up, their options became more limited. Such was the dominance of the Ripon scrum that despite the put in, the outcome was a Ripon ball. No further scores followed and for Barnsley, their flurry of action in the dying minutes of the game was too little too late.

The next regular League action is scheduled for 9th January, when Ripon will entertain a strong Keighley side and seeking a better performance than in the previous fixture. Ripon however are also keen to replay the postponed away game at West Leeds as soon as possible and with the whole squad currently available, are pushing for the game to be played on 2nd January. Further details to follow.